Save the Date: Gender Summit is coming to Canada for the first time in 2017

From November 6 to 8, 2017, more than 675 advocates of gender equality from science, innovation and development participated in the Gender Summit 11 North America, held in Montréal, Canada. It was a great honour for Canada to welcome the Summit and all of its participants for the first time. Those present had the opportunity to engage in fruitful discussions under the overarching theme of “Embracing pluralism and thriving through diversity – shaping science and innovation” and also had the unique opportunity of participating in Canada’s 150th and the city of Montréal’s 375th anniversary celebrations.

The Gender Summit 11 North America 2017 was co-hosted by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Fonds de recherche du Québec, in collaboration with Portia Ltd from the UK.

Gender Summits have generated and drawn upon extensive evidence showing the benefits of embedding equity, diversity and inclusion as primary dimensions of research quality and innovation. A key focus at Gender Summit 11 has been the best practices for acting on this knowledge. To move forward in our pursuit of enhanced performance in our research, innovation and business endeavours – ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of our plans and actions – individuals, departments, faculties and/or organizations are encouraged to adopt EDI measures as an indicator of 1. The progress they are committed to, and 2. Their engagement in implementing GS11 recommended actions.

Taking action Making commitments is one thing, but how do these become part of our practice, our measures of success, and indicators of the change we envision? Here are some recommendations:1. Make this list of actions your own and publish this commitment to action prominently on your website, including timelines for adoption of the actions2. Publish a semi-annual update/evaluation and any related content on your website3. Integrate the actions into your vision, mission, objectives, strategies and training and mentoring activities.

Please find here the Gender Summit 11 Declaration. It is highlighting the action items, which individuals, departments, faculties, organizations and others involved in research and innovation are encouraged to act on.